Life on the Trail

Boy boys (and the hubby) participate in Trail Life at our church. (If you're unfamiliar, it's basically what Boy Scouts was before they decided to get woke.) Generally, I love that they do it. I think it's great to learn all the sorts of things that they do. Hiking, camping, generally running around with sharp things and fire. All good things for kids to do.

But the program could use a woman's touch.

Or a man who understands pedagogy.

In the elementary years, badges are earned during meetings and it's basically if you show up, you succeed. This is great for younger kids, because they get to run around with sharp things and fire and get a pin for it.

In middle school, there's the opportunity to start earning cooler awards that get affixed to the "standard" (which is a really rather cool walking stick.) But also in middle school begins the "leadership" idea of "go figure it out, kid."

And I am 100% for teaching kids how to figure things out, make a plan, execute a plan, and get that sense of achievement from having done so. But you notice that I said "teaching kids how" ... yeah, they kind of skip that part.

So eldest has been missing TWO THINGS for 18 months. Two. Just two and he would complete the highest award for middle school (which he is rapidly losing the chance to earn b/c when school is out, he's out of middle school and would no longer qualify.)

I've talked to hubby. I've talked to the boy. I've suggested someone, somewhere, send up a flare. But eldest is reserved and I'm going on a limb to say he has anxiety, maybe he's just shy, but I can't send him into the post office to drop something in the mail slot alone at 14 either, so. Yeah. Anxiety.

Point being, he needs someone to ask him. And nudge. And mentor.

And he's getting zero of that.

Apparently it's even more hands off at the high school level (which seems impossible, but whatever) and...I don't know what the point is. Why am I paying dues and for uniforms etc if no one is on the other side ensuring that skills are learned?

But I've also been told that moms can butt right out, so instead I rant.